ABU DHABI, 18th June, 2017 (WAM) – The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN Women, has approved the appointment of Dr. Moza Al Shehhi as the Director of its Communications Office in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stressed that the current achievements of the empowerment of women and gender equality in the UAE are due to the wise vision of the UAE leadership, and the efforts of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

He praised the decision of UN Women to appoint Dr. Al Shehhi as the Director of its Communications Office in Abu Dhabi, which was inaugurated last October. He also considered the appointment of a UAE woman at the United Nations as a positive step, and highlighted that he is looking forward to the exceptional outcomes that Al Shehhi will achieve.

Noura Al Suwaidi, Director of the General Women’s Union, stated that the significant efforts of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to support and empower women have enabled them to reach senior international positions.

In her statement, she added that the appointment of Dr. Al Shehhi, the country’s representative of women’s empowerment in the General Women’s Union, as the Director of the UN Women Communications Office, completes a series of successes achieved by UAE women in all areas, as they have been appointed to many prominent positions, both inside and outside the UAE, in the public and private sectors.

She stated that establishing the UN Women Communications Office, in partnership with the General Women’s Union, is part of the significant efforts of the "Mother of the Nation", to enhance the position of UAE women and support them in achieving their overall ambitions.

She also highlighted Sheikha Fatima's desire to strengthen relations with UN Women, driving UAE women to occupy prominent positions in international organisation.

She further mentioned that at the start of the current year, Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh was appointed the UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations and President of the Executive Board of UN Women for 2017, after the UAE’s election in 2016 as the Vice President of the Council, representing Asia-Pacific nations in the UN.

She added that Ambassador Nusseibeh became the second woman to occupy this position, and the first woman from the Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, countries.

She stressed that, regarding the issues of women, peace and security, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak had a major role in supporting the implementation of UN Women’s strategy to support the country in carrying out a women’s, security and peace agenda on various levels, based on the strong belief that women should be active partners in building the UAE community, and in the decision-making process.

Al Suwaidi stressed that the UAE has occupied a leading position in the UN in the area of promoting a women’s, peace and security agenda, while representing the Middle East in many related events.

She highlighted that the honourable record of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, in achieving peace and security for women in the region and her leadership in humanitarian work, which reduced the suffering of Arab women in areas of conflicts and disasters, as well as her efforts to protect women refugees, have led to her choice as the figurehead of supporting peace and security for Arab women in 2016.

She also highlighted the many initiatives related to women, realising Her Highness’ efforts to achieve peace and security, and protect women and children in areas of conflicts. She added that the "In All Places" initiative, an international movement that aims to prevent the deaths of women and children by 2030, was implemented under her patronage.